Convergent Audio Technology JL2
After
Audio Aero dropped their bombshell on me that
they were stopping production on their astonishingly
good valve amplifiers, if left me with a large hole in
my extreme top end range. I had the best possible
semi affordable CD player, but now no World beating
amplifiers. I asked Audio Aero what they were now
using to demonstrate their CD players and at the time
they were at the Berlin Show with Convergent Audio
Technology, where Stereophile, Soundstage and Enjoy
the Music.com all rated the room as the best sound in
Show. These amps were more expensive than I thought
the market hear could bear, but even then, they were
extraordinary value for money. Like the Audio Aero
CD players, they easily outperform other brands at
outrageous pricing. I looked far and wide and attended
the London Hi Fi Show, but quickly realised there was
no other option, so I applied for the rights to represent
them here, was accepted and so I become the 13th lucky
CAT Dealer in the world. I ordered the SL1 Ultimate
Pre, widely acclaimed as the world's best pre and the
JL2, widely considered the best stereo amp. Unfortunately
I will have to wait until the tattered bank balance recovers
before I get the ultimate, the JL3 Monoblocks.
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Philosophy is the most important aspect of any design, CAT's philosophy
is to design their products to neither add to, nor detract from
the
music. They never attempt to cover up a design problem with another
problem, nor do they try to introduce a supposedly complementary
problem to "Synergise" with it. Two wrongs do not make
a right. Only the eradication of the problem is correct.
The JL2 has been under development for more than 6 years. A variety
of loudspeakers were used during this refinement process including
some that are well know for their ultra revealing nature and their
difficulty to drive. The resulting amplifier is astounding in
its robust dynamics
and effortless power, actually sounding bigger and more powerful
than amps with much higher power ratings.
Yet it possesses a pure, natural character and clarity that surpasses
the most refined low power amplifiers.
Power Supply
*The power transformers are enclosed in separate nickel plated
steel housings to contain the magnetic field.
*The isolation transformer eliminates entry of AC power line noise
into the amp, yielding greater benefits than add-on
conditioners without
any of their sonic drawbacks or expense.
*Slow filament Power-Up extends tube life greatly.
*The quadruple Cascade Audio Power Supply uses time compensated
zero feedback mosfets and vacuum tubes to deliver unequalled dynamic
contrasts, transparency and sound stage realism.
Circuitry
*Power Triode audio circuitry produces tonal natural music by
eliminating partition noise inherent in pentode designs
and the resulting noise
intermodulation ("grain")
*Low feedback (about 7dB) properly compensated design eliminates
the tonal hardness of high feedback and/or improperly compensated
designs whilst yielding more consistent sound quality.
*Ultra-wide open loop in-circuit bandwidth of the output transformers
enables operation of the amps closed loop response entirely within
the
open loop response, eliminating any requirement for
the output stage to perform beyond its natural capability.
*Unprecedented stability into complex speaker loads.
Chassis
*The heavy steel chassis is reinforced with several welded beams
for tremendous strength and elimination of low frequency vibration,
yielding
incredible bass solidarity.
*Constrained damping layer on top plate silences vibration before
it can be converted into electro-mechanical noise.
*The output transformers are enclosed within their own magnetically
isolated housings which is lined with Birch plywood,
one of the most musical
woods, and potted in place with a combination of epoxy
and elastomers for mechanical stability and control.
*Mechanical isolation from floor vibrations provided by high loss
viscoelastic feet.
Convenience
*Mirror polished stainless steel maintains lustre and brilliance
with minimal care.
*Single 10 turn master bias control per channel assures utmost
sonic capability with minimum effort.
*Built in LCD meter.
Quality
*Exotic low loss aerospace circuit board material.
*CAT wire uses ultra pure dead soft annealed copper and super
low loss insulation - 7 times lower than TFE Teflon!
*CAT coupled capacitors reduce electromechanical noise to incredible
levels.
*Low loss core material has 92% less hysteresis loss than grain
orientated silicon steel used in all other transformer coupled
amplifiers, and almost 100
times greater linearity.
| Specifications: | |
| Power |
100 watts nto 8 ohms - class A 100 Watts into 4 ohms - class A |
| Frequency Response | 1 Hz to 65 KHz (+0, -3dB) |
| Gain | 30.6 dB (8ohms) |
| Sensitivity | 835mV AC for full power (8 ohms) |
| Noise | 90 dB below full power |
| Power Bandwidth | 20 Hz to 30 kHz |
| Damping factor | 10 |
| Dimensions |
27" x 18.5" x 10.5" (L:W:H) 68.6 x 47 x 26.7 cm |
| Weight | 180 lbs. (82kg) |